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‘Non-air’ will reign for Abacus this year
Abacus International is beefing up its non-air (hotels,
cars, cruises, etc) booking contribution this year. Non-air is “the next
big thing” for Abacus, its officials say.
With changing and new channels in the travel industry,
airline bookings appear a saturated market for global distribution systems
(GDS) next to explosive growth areas such as hotel, car rental and cruise
bookings. As agents move to offer a full service, not just air ticketing,
the need to grow the non-air component becomes ever more relevant.
Abacus vice president Hotels & Cars, Toby March said,
“Non-air bookings in Asia-Pacific were already growing significantly in
the past couple of years. Abacus is expecting a 50 percent to 60 percent
growth in Asia-Pacific from non-air this year.”
March said non-air’s great leap forward was being
driven by three factors - increased awareness in the various Asia-Pacific
markets; greater business process efficiency in agencies; and better access
by GDSs to relevant non-air content.
Forty hotel brands and a total of 61,000 hotels are in
Abacus currently. March said the GDS aims to have 100 hotel brands by the
end of this year. (TTG Asia)
A new PACT to counter tourism threats
A new industry-wide taskforce has been established to
counter threats to travel and tourism in Asia-Pacific, including the recent
bird flu outbreak. Called the Pacific Asia Coalition for Travel, or PACT,
the taskforce is being driven by PATA, following its Project Phoenix
initiative in 2003.
PACT members include national tourism offices, IATA, the
Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, Airports Council International, the
International Hotel & Restaurant Association, Abacus International and
several hotel and distribution companies.
PATA president and CEO, Peter de Jong, said the taskforce
had been working steadily to minimize the negative impact of bird flu on the
region by liaising with the World Health Organization (WHO), conducting
travel industry impact surveys and distributing factual information about
the limited risks to travelers.
Mr de Jong said, “We now have a truly representative
industry group, which can respond quickly and effectively to health alerts
such as bird flu, security risks or any other crisis that could threaten
travel and tourism in Asia-Pacific.” (TTG Asia)
Take the time to dream
Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) managing director Ken
Boundy recently announced that Sydney is to play host to “Dreamtime
2004”. The biennial event for incentive buyers around the world will run
from October 28-November 2 including a trade show at Sydney Olympic Park and
a two-day familiarization program.
ATC executive general manager, marketing, Stephen O’Neill, said, “We
have already received interest from buyers in the UK and Europe to attend
Dreamtime this year. There is also strong potential for Australia to grow
its share of the incentive travel market, particularly from countries like
Thailand, Taiwan and China and we will be targeting key buyers from these
sectors.” (TTG Asia)
Oriental to open in Chiangmai
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will manage a luxurious
hideaway resort being developed in Chiangmai located just 10 minutes from the
airport and Chiangmai city center.
The resort will be called Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi and
will include a ‘destination spa’ of 3,100 sqm modeled on the ancient palaces
of Mandalay. The resort will feature 142 villas and over-sized suites, each
locally handcrafted in keeping with traditional Lanna architecture and featuring
extensive museum-quality artifacts and antiques. It is due to open at the end of
this year.
The legendary Oriental Hotel Bangkok will bring its
operational expertise and knowledge to the new Oriental in Chiangmai.
Patrick-Denis Finet has been appointed general manager of the resort. He has a
wide variety of luxury resort experience in Europe, Indian Ocean and the
Caribbean.
Oriental’s presence in Chiangmai has been in the grapevine
since The Oriental Bangkok general manager, Kurt Wachtveitl, was spotted
inspecting the property last year. (TTG Asia)
THAI and Star Alliance get head start with Suvarnabhumi
The new Suvarnabhumi international airport development in
Bangkok provides Thai Airways International (THAI) and Star Alliance an
incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create real benefits for the flying
public and Star members in particular,” THAI president, Kanok Abhiradee, told
TTG Asia Daily. THAI and Star had just concluded a two-day workshop in Bangkok.
“By working with Star we can install systems and adapt
infrastructure while the airport is being built. Suvarnabhumi is not just an
airport it’s a hub. The work we are doing with Star will ensure faster
connections, improved baggage transfers, efficient gate assignment and so on,”
he added. Kanok said other areas of agreement included purchasing and
procurement, product enhancement and better systems of communication. (TTG Asia)
Emirates lands in West Africa
Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline has just
launched its new service to West Africa. The Airbus A330-200 aircraft arrived
from Dubai to an official welcome at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport
in the Nigerian city of Lagos. Flight EK781 later flew on to the Ghanaian
capital Accra to another official reception. The new route is Emirates’ latest
addition to its fast-growing network.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Executive Vice President
Commercial Operations Worldwide said, “Emirates’ new services are expected
to boost business and tourism links between West Africa, the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) states and the Middle East. This new route will give our customers
four flights a week to both Lagos and Accra.”
Dubai to Lagos: Flight EK781 leaves Dubai every Monday,
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 03:45, arriving in Lagos at 08:45. It takes
off again at 09:55 and lands in Accra at 10:05.
Lagos to Dubai: The return flight, EK782, takes off from Accra at 11:35hrs,
arriving in Lagos at 13:45. It departs at 15:00, touching down in Dubai at 01:00
early the next morning. All times are local.
“What you pray for”
Canadian Ambassador Dr. Andrew McAlister recently presided
over a cocktail reception to mark the opening of an art exhibition titled,
“What you pray for” by Martine Bilodeau, Canadian artist, at the Amari
Watergate Hotel, on display until Feb. 29. A portion of the proceeds will go to
Sang Tawan Children’s Home at Mae Sot Garden School
Ambassador
McAlister cuts the ribbon and looking on in front row from left are, Pierre
Andre Pelletier, the hotel’s general manager; Assoc. Prof. Prapunpong
Vejjajiva; Bente McAlister; Martine Bilodeau, artist; Dr. Andrew McAlister;
Sophie La; Nichaya Chaivisuth, hotel’s director of public relations. Back row
front left, Denis Richter, hotel’s executive assistant manager and Kojchawan
Sungvaribud.
Thai Airways to stop
flying on Phuket-Hat Yai route
Thai Airways International PCL plans to end its Phuket-Hat
Yai route as the service is not popular among passengers, said the president of
Phuket Travel Association.
Pattanapong Aekvanit warned that the cancellation of the
route between two major tourist attractions might affect tourism in the region
and the government plan to develop Phuket to become the southern aviation hub.
He said that entrepreneurs in Hat Yai and Phuket had asked
Thai Airways to put off the plan until next month as they would launch package
tours to attract more tourists and to help increase the number of passengers.
The airline reduced its flights between the two destinations
from two daily flights to one and now it has planned to cut the route due to
sluggish demand leading to a sharp drop in passengers. However, Phuket Air still
operates the same route four flights a week. (TNA)
Air Andaman suspends routes
Thailand’s domestic carrier Air Andaman has suspended
operations on all of its eight routes pending a complete restructuring and the
development of a new business plan.
The fledgling carrier, which only started at the end of 2000,
is the first victim of the shakeout that is underway in Thailand following the
deregulation of domestic fares and the arrival of a rash of low-cost carriers.
Air Andaman has been providing feeder services to Phrae, Nan,
Buriram, Surin, Loei, Mae Sot, Chumphon and Narithawat, using a small fleet of
commuter aircraft, some leased and some purchased.
Air Andaman president Atichart Athakravisunthorn said the
Fokker aircraft have been returned to the leasing company and the Jetstreams
have been put up for sale.
Atichart said the competition on domestic routes was becoming
so fierce that the company could no longer make a profit. He forecast “massive
losses” for several players during the next two years, and he said his company
could only survive by getting out of the domestic market altogether.
“But we will not be closing shop. We expect to make an announcement during
the next few weeks. It will probably involve larger aircraft for use on
international routes, but it’s too early to give details because we’re still
developing the plan,” Atichart added. (TTG Asia)
AirAsia’s Bangkok/Singapore flight takes off
Bangkok AirAsia Thai operation’s first international flight
serving Bangkok Singapore took off on its maiden flight on Feb 16. Flight FD 700
bound for Singapore departed at 7.10 am (local time) from Dong Muang
International Airport.
Bookings commenced on Feb 7th with fares from bath 1300 (S$
59.99) one way. Presently, AirAsia has received 40% bookings of the Bangkok
Singapore route through its various distribution channels.
The airline is pleased to be the first low fares airline to
bring service to Changi Airport in Singapore. Ultimately, AirAsia will offer an
affordable alternative to move traffic from Thailand to Singapore and vice
versa.
AirAsia in Thailand commenced operations on 3 Feb 2004 with
flights to Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen from Bangkok International
Airport. Response to the low fares airline in Thailand has been overwhelming.
AirAsia Thai operations have to date carried over 15000 guests, and is set to
achieve 80% load factor for the month of February.
AirAsia’s low fares can be purchased through its various
distribution outlets online at www.airasia.com, airport sales offices, and
through its Nationwide Call Center; in Thailand: 02 515 9999 or in Singapore:
6733 9933.
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